I’ve been having a bit of an identity crisis. Marc Prensky (2001) has coined two phrases. Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. The idea behind these titles is the fact that students of today are not learning to use technology like students of the past. They have grown up with technology and it’s not as foreign to them as it is to their parents.
Like I said before, I’m having an identity crisis. I’m 37 years old. I started using a computer in 1982 at the age of 9. My mother was heavily involved in technology, specifically educational technology, from my elementary school days. I was the kid in 5th grade that the teacher used as a “computer buddy” to help her with the computer. I had an early, and deep involvement with technology. However, it was not “from birth” like Digital Natives.
But I’m not really a digital native, according to Prensky. However, I am pretty fluent in “digital-speak” and can speak without an “accent.”

According to many Alaskans, a “sourdough” is an Alaska Oldtimer. So, how about a “Digital Sourdough;” someone who has used technology for such a long time, and to such an extent, that it is difficult to hear an accent.

Well, Mr. Prensky…what do you think about that?

Prensky, Marc (2001) http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

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